Today we introduce you to Anita Grace Brown, a yoga teacher, mother of two teens and wife of 23 years who believes that life is full of surprises and hopes to continue embracing all the gifts life presents before her.

I began meditating after a visit to the neurologist when I
was concerned about memory and focus issues at the age of 46. Shortly after
establishing a regular Centering Prayer practice, the poems began forming on
their own. What a healing gift!!

I love writing about nature and healing the most. All of
nature speaks volumes with regard to how the simplicity of being is mirrored in
watching a leaf fall from a tree or listening to a bird sing, for example.

I usually don’t hesitate to share my poems, as for me there
has been this uncanny certainty that the poetry comes from a deep place
desiring exposure and release from day one. That the words continue to reveal
deeper wisdom as time goes on. That I can trust the message even if my initial
understanding is superficial.

I don’t write every day (although I would like to!!) so I
generally write when I feel as if something in me is stuck and needs coaxing. Writing
and sharing my poetry has facilitated deep healing with regard to shadowy
aspects of myself.

Before sharing my poem here, on the Journey of The Heart
Poetry Project, I boldly submitted to Elephant Journal and they have gone on to
publish much of my work as well…I feel so blessed!!

I just love sharing my poetry here as the way the words are
matched with gorgeous visuals inspires me. Also, the women are always so
supportive and encouraging.I would like to add that you may be wondering if your voice
is needed in the world and I am here to say that there is a seat at the table for
everyone…including you! Be bold and trust your unique gifts!!!!

Anita Grace Brownis a content mother of two teenagers and wife of 23 years, both of which she is grateful for every day. She began writing poetry in the fall of 2012 after a mini-breakdown cracked open her heart and allowed this newly found gift to shine through. Many months later, she is realizing the truth in the saying that ‘breakdown equals spiritual awakening’ as she is pleasantly shocked at how much more peace she has in her spirit and how that is reflected in her life. Anita loves yoga, dancing, traveling, cooking, walking her golden Sierra, and quiet evenings at home. She especially enjoys teaching meditation to under-served communities and listening to others as they express the same joy at the transformation occurring from such simple but regular practice.

________________________

PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~

Today we introduce you to the inspired Tracie Nichols who is wild for green wilderness, moonlight and reminding us to commune with the sacred Earth.

I was eleven when I wrote my first heart-cracked-open-wide
poem.

Ostensibly, it was an assignment from my art teacher. Looking back, I
think it was the Universe priming my poetic pumps.

We were asked to write a poem in response to an art film of
stampeding horses. The film was a torrent of close-ups of wild eyes, mud
spraying, masses of jostling backs and heads and colts falling behind, all to a
relentless soundtrack of hooves hitting turf and frightened, excited, squeals,
neighs, and grunts. It was visceral. Powerful. Dangerous. I remember my heart
thundering nearly as loudly as their hooves.

Then, words pounded out of somewhere deep in my core into my
hand with the same torrential rhythm of the hoofbeats I’d just witnessed. I had
no idea what was happening, but like the colts, I was swept along on those
words, watching as they wrote themselves in my notebook.

Afterwards I wasn’t sure if I was excited, ecstatic, or
terrified. All of them, I think. I just knew I wanted to do it again. Even
though I didn’t have the words to describe it, some part of me knew I’d touched
a resonating strand of the sacred. Since then it feels like every poem I write
weaves me more closely into communion with Oneness.

Poems are full body/soul experiences for me. They start as a
tingling or humming in my muscles, and usually percolate up through my heart
until they burble out of my mouth or hands.

Sometimes, though, they get stuck. That’s
a bit like verbal heartburn, honestly. Some never make it beyond their initial
tingling hum. I sometimes wonder whimsically if my marrow makes poems as it’s
making blood cells and if some future x-ray might reveal a few stray stanzas.

I’m truly inspired by my own experiences, both internal and
external.

I pass a few crow feathers standing in the grass and
noticing that sends me into wondering….

Who were you

when
you

flew?

Why did you

leave
them

behind?

While the pain of a turbulent childhood etches itself
into...

There are screams
inside.

They’re trapped

in my bones.

Secured by

sinew

so they don’t

sidle out.

There are so many holes

some of my bones
whistle, now.

I’m a bone-flute woman.

I moan when the wind
blows.

While there are definitely some poems I’ll never publish, as
long as it feels like sharing the poem will help make the world better for
people or our beloved planet, nowadays I usually take a deep breath and do it.
Though poems like Bone Flute Woman,
(excerpt above) where I’m feeling flayed and infinitely vulnerable, can be hard
to share publicly.

Before stumbling on the Journey of The Heart Poetry Project,
I had very quietly shared a few poems on a personal blog with a tiny
readership. Since Catherine accepted my first
poem, though, I’ve found a new confidence in my writing and in myself.

With a background in Transformative Learning I’m fascinated
by the rhythmic process of moving through life changes, so it’s no surprise
that one of the most common themes underpinning the poetry I write is personal
evolution.

Poems help me blaze trails through terrain that both
explains and expands the essence of who I am.

I use poetry to help me navigate, and to help make sense of
the ebbs and flows of a constantly changing life. Staying curious, looking with
eyes and a heart willing to be awed, this is what helps me find a poem in
everything from a simple feather to complex relationships.

I firmly believe everyone has poetry flowing through them.

Whether it comes out as words, or in colors, yarn, fabric, HTML or other code,
theoretical math, cuisine, inventions, or something else, releasing the poetry
humming in our bones helps us explain ourselves to ourselves, and helps us
introduce ourselves to the world.

Life flows tidally. It seems we’re always navigating
incoming or outgoing waves of change. My poetry weaves a sturdy boat for me to
ride those waves with my curiosity and confidence as sails, often shouting
“huzzah!” into the wind.

Where does your poetry take you?

_____________

Tracie Nichols has written poetry since she was 11 years old. While most of her early works are gone (this is probably a good thing) she continues to scribble poems at odd hours about everything from the state of her soul to the sounds of her kitchen. In truth, though, her poetic heart belongs to the deep green places of our wildly, fiercely, sacred, earth. When she isn’t making poetry with words she’s listening to the whispers of the green world, making alchemy with plants and stones and moonlight wildness. Tracie blogs, shares resources and generally nurtures at her website here. Connect with her also on Twitter or Facebook.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Today we introduce you to the lovely Native New Englander and country girl, Ginny Brannan, who believes that it's never too late to pursue something you love!

I discovered poetry in High
School.

I went to an
open-concept school, pretty forward thinking for the small Vermont town where I
grew up in the 1970’s, and Poetry was one of our class choices for English.

I loved reading and studying the classic poets, but when it
came to writing our own poetry, I felt stifled; discouraged by a teacher who
was more about her own vision of structure and content rather than encouraging
our creative expression.

Disheartened, I
shelved my own writing, and many years would pass before I would seriously
attempt to write poetry again.

Fast forward to
2009: after losing my job of 18
years and spending several discouraging months job hunting, I had fallen into a
rather dark place. My brother and
dear friend suggested I attempt to write again, to express what I was feeling, and
suddenly I discovered a creative outlet for the emotional roller coaster I was
on.

For me, poetry has had a
cathartic and healing effect on my life. When I was at my lowest it pulled me
up, helping me to find perspective and balance again.

I find that my writing flows best when I draw
from what I know, whether
it iswhat I am feeling, where I’ve
come from, what is around me or touching my life at any given moment.

I also find great
pleasure in trying to capture in words the beauty of the place where I live—
the ever-changing seasons, the flora and fauna of my New England home. I have
always worn my heart on my sleeve, and have discovered that in writing what I
know, that the words flow naturally.

The hardest topics I’ve
written about are the ones that make my heart ache.

I wrote several poems through my
sister-in-law’s struggle with cancer and eventual passing ranging from
frustration, to anger, to the eventual acceptance of her choices and what was
to come. I have written and captured current headlines from the Aurora, CO
theater shooting, to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT,
to the loss of the Robin Williams, one most brilliant actors and comedians of
our time. I also work with the elderly and often write of their struggles with
aging and loneliness—important topics—but also a sad and constant reminder of
the road we will all be facing one day.

The inspiration for my
poetry comes from many places: more often than not from real life events—
something happening in my own life or from the news of that day.

Perhaps a place I’m
going or somewhere I have been will call me to pick up my pen. Sometimes photo or
an image will pull up memories or emotions from the past to prompt a poem. I
find that my best writing comes when I tap my inner self and examine the
feelings and emotions that an idea evokes.

In my experience,
I have learned that forcing words leaves a piece feeling ‘flat,’ whereas drawing
from my inner being—exposing a piece of myself and allowing it enter into what
I am writing—allows the poem to live, to breathe.

My biggest hesitation with sharing my
writing is that ultimate feeling of ‘vulnerability;’ the fear of being judged, criticized,
and torn apart as not being “good enough,” a feeling that stems from the low
self-esteem I felt in my childhood years.

Losing my mom at
an early age and being raised by my dad, I frequently felt awkward and lacking of
the social graces that my peers seemed to be endowed with. This turned out be
both a blessing and a curse—I learned to be independent, self-reliant and developed
a tough outer skin, but I also learned to hold many feelings and emotions
inside.

Spiritually, the gift that
poetry has given me is that it has allowed me to examine and express my past,
my life, and has endowed me with the balance I have always craved but never knew
where to find until I started writing.

There are many poets and writers who have
influence me and have had a profound effect on my writing. I have an affinity for classic form poetry,
such as the Villanelle; ‘Mad Girl’s Love Song” by Sylvia Plath is a favorite of
mine. I am very fond of all of Emily Dickinson’s works; an under-appreciated poet
during her time, she made her home in Amherst, MA just short distance north of where
I reside. My “darker side” loves the writings of Poe.

My all-time favorite poet is
Robert Frost, whose words capture my New England home and lifestyle as no other
poet ever has.

The words, the passion,
the honesty that shines in the works of these poets continually inspires me to
follow in their footsteps and write what I am passionate about.

I feel exceptionally blessed and honored
to have been invited by Catherine Ghosh to share my work at Journey of the
Heart and to be a part of such an amazing community of contemporary female
poets.

Also I would be
remiss not mention the many other writers and friends in today’s poetry
community whom I have come know to admire— men and women who aren’t afraid to
share a piece of their hearts in their words.

Whenever a piece of writing
stays with me or touches me in some way, it inspires me to strive for
improvement in my own work; my ultimate hope being that perhaps my words will touch
and inspire others as their words have inspired me.

My best advice to new poets and writers starting
outon this path is to write with honesty and passion from the inside
out; write what you know, what you feel.

Write from your heart. Do
not obsess over perfection—form, format and meter come with time.

Just reach out and embrace your creative
side, let the words flow, and never let criticism from others discourage you from
following the path of your poetic journey.

_______________________

Virginia “Ginny” Brannan, a self-described native New Englander
and country girl, resides in Massachusetts with her husband of 34 years, her grown
son and five cats—2 domestic indoor cats whom she adopted, and 3 feral outdoor
cats who ‘adopted’ her!! Growing up an only child, she was blessed at age 16 to
be welcomed into a “family of the heart,” who embraced her as their own. She
describes herself on her blog as: “…coming to this ‘dance’ a bit later than
some, but the most important thing is she’s come ” proving that it is never too late to pursue something you love! You
can find Ginny on her blog Inside Out Poetry here, listen to her recite her poems here or connect with her Ginny on twitter or Google plus here. Ginny has been published in The D’Verse Anthology: Voices of
Contemporary World Poetry, Journey of
the Heart: An Anthology of Spiritual Poetry by Women, And is proud
and honored to be included in the soon-to-be released “Where Journey’s Meet: The Voice of Women’s
Poetry” to be available from Dragonfly Press. Our “sisterhood” rocks!!

_________________

PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~

Today we introduce you to the young and compassionate poet Alise Versella, who passionately believes that poetry has the power to hold us up when we can't find a firm foundation to stand on.

I first began writing poetry in the 6th grade after watching A Ring of
Endless Light on television and the Color of Friendship. The congressman's
speech at the end of that movie brought an 11 year old me to tears and that was
when I discovered the power of words.

It’s easy for me to write poems on any subject,
really. I’m inspired by life, music, cinema, the news and the stories of
individuals. If it’s something I’ve personally experienced, it becomes even
easier for me to write about it.

I consider myself an
empathic person so I often write poems about the experiences of others, giving
them a voice.

Today I'd say the subject of race is harder for
me to write about, I have so much to say but can't figure out the right words
with which to say it.

My biggest fear in sharing my poetry is that my
words could literally get me in big trouble, but I think I am not famous enough
yet for too many important people to care too much about what I write, so I
send it out into the ether regardless. And I just do it all for me, I have
something to say and I said it. That's how I move beyond it. I am a writer
first and foremost. The public doesn't have to like what I say but it's important
I find the strength to say it anyway.

Through writing poetry
I have discovered that I am strong, that I am powerful. Words heal wounds and
bring us out of our darkness and into the light.

Sometimes when I'm writing a piece I feel like I
am no longer in control of my pen: That I have been possessed by a higher being
or maybe just a heightened version of myself. I find religion in poetry, in the
cathartic release of those words that just expel from me beyond my control. I
consider that time "possessed" as a spiritual process.

Writing poetry has helped me cope through the
many trials of life; my poetry has served as the mile markers on the road that
is my life.

I find it impossible
to keep a journal so I write poetry instead.

Reading the poems of others has an inspiring and calming
effect on me; it's like listening to a really good song on the radio that gives
me goose bumps. I love T.S Eliot, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg and The Rose of
Battle by Yeats. I have a portion of that one memorized! A poem called Becca
inspired my third book. Ferlinghettis's Alienation: two bees. Ian Thomas's book
I wrote this for you: pleasefindthis is superb!

I was first invited to the Journey of the Heart
Poetry Project by Catherine Ghosh who asked me to submit a poem to spotlight my
latest book release, for which I'm forever grateful. I have published three
poetry book: Five Foot Voice, Onion Heart, A Few Wild Stanzas. I’ve also had my
work featured on Rebelle Society and a Writers-editors online contest.

Being published in the Journey of The Heart
project felt wonderful to me, as I loved being showcased alongside so many
bright, talented women whose work I'd seen appear across many internet venues.

This is a project full
of beautiful women speaking their minds and coming together to create. Creation
is the most beautiful thing!

It is an honor to be part of this project and to
have my poems picked for the new anthology Where Journeys Meet: The Voice of
Women’s Poetry.

It
is a thrill to be offered the opportunity to send my words out to be read by
others in hopes that they will mean something to someone, that they could help
someone, just like the words of others have helped and inspired me.

I am young and still finding my way and who I am
is changing day to day. But I'm learning my core values and my mission is
becoming somewhat about teaching people the power of poetry.

Our words are our
strongest weapons and that no one can take that away from us._______________Alise Versella is a 24 year old poet living in the pinelands of New Jersey. Poetry has always been the ether in her veins and the oxygen she breathes. It is her Five Foot Voice, her Onion Heart, as she peels back the layers of herself like a lotus unfurling its petals in order to grow fully in the waters that can sometimes weigh her down. She writes poetry to find herself and save the world. Her hope it that her poetry saves someone’s world from crumbling. Alise believes art has the power to hold us up when we can’t find the legs to stand. You can visit Alise on her Facebook page here or herwebsite here. Her third volume of poetry, A Few Wild Stanzas, is availablehere.

_________________

PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~

JOURNEY OF THE HEART

Journey of the Heart is an online, spiritual community dedicated to facilitating and inspiring the uninhibited release of women's voices as we unite in honoring them through the sharing of their poetry.

COMING SOON!

COMING JULY 31st 2015!

Click here to watch our book's video trailer by artist Shailie Dubois. All proceeds from the book go to WriteGirl: a nonprofit organization based in California which promotes creativity and self expression to empower girls.

POETRY IS A KIND OF WITCHCRAFT!

"Poetry is a kind of witchcraft. We have the power to manifest, to call forth, to make what didn't happen, happen. I think of…how the word gains its power by being spoken and handed to the next person, and how what we write will last longer than our skins. Our poems are the truest husks of our former selves."

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“For women…poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams…It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been built before.” -Audre Lorde-

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"For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry."